Chapter 15. Planning to Grow the Rigel Family
“To think that Sirius managed to bring down Nael Uterus….”
Eustia rechecked Sirius’s letter once more.
According to Sirius, after dealing with the mid-level members of the Uterus family, he had installed Palteon Uterus as the new head of the family.
Furthermore, Sirius had attached a “statement” from the Uterus family members.
It detailed the schemes concocted by Nael and Cardein, exposing them one by one, aiming to prove that the fight against the Uterus family was justified.
“Truly remarkable, Eustia.”
Rutvein, who was reading the letter together, spoke up.
“I never knew Sirius had this side to him.”
“Yes, with evidence secured to this extent, other families will have to acknowledge that his actions were justified. He’s more thorough than I thought.”
“No, that’s not it.”
Rutvein smiled.
“It seems like Sirius truly cares for you. He never showed any hint of it in front of me.”
“What?”
“Just by reading these letters, you can feel his anger towards those who try to take you away.”
“….”
Eustia was briefly at a loss for words due to Rutvein’s misconception.
“No, Father, Sirius….”
“Why is that?”
“It’s just that….”
Eustia felt a headache coming on.
The fact that Eustia and Sirius had a “contract marriage” where they wouldn’t interfere with each other was something only the parties involved knew.
Rutvein probably couldn’t even imagine that the two had never shared a bed.
Sirius strongly criticizing the Uterus family’s vile schemes was merely to create a justification for seizing control of the Uterus family.
Just as Nael had tried to vilify Sirius to use as justification, Sirius emphasized the wickedness of the Uterus family to justify his actions.
This was purely a political calculation.
It wasn’t because Sirius cherished Eustia.
“Eustia, honestly, I couldn’t quite understand why you chose Sirius as your husband.”
“….”
“But you knew. You knew that Sirius was someone who could protect us.”
This was also Rutvein’s misconception.
Until recently, Eustia had only known Sirius as a frail scholar.
Sirius had thoroughly hidden his true nature even from Eustia.
“It seems you have a good eye for men, Eustia.”
“Well….”
In truth, Eustia still hadn’t fully grasped what kind of man Sirius was.
But the current situation was undeniably turning in favor of the Rigel family.
If that was the case… they had to act in response to Sirius’s movements to set the Rigel family right.
“Father, if Sirius is making moves like this outside, we must also act to correct the Rigel family.”
“Yes.”
With the protection of the Yuterus family no longer in place, the Regal family was left defenseless.
Although there was the Sixth Circle mage, Rutvein, it was not realistic for the lord to personally patrol the entire territory.
Fortunately, Sirius had promised to help restrain the Black Association like the Kalstein Swordsmen in conjunction with the newly formed Yuterus family.
“While Sirius is restraining the Black Association, we need to reorganize the family internally as much as possible.”
“I will come up with a specific plan.”
“You?”
“I have thoughts I’ve been considering while looking at the family’s accounting records.”
“Hmm… Fine. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Thank you.”
Rutvein smiled as he looked at Yustia bowing her head.
“Both the youngest daughter and the youngest grandson are competent, which is pleasing. They truly make a well-matched pair.”
“….”
Yustia couldn’t help but wish he’d retract the well-matched pair comment.
With that thought in mind, Yustia let out a sigh.
***
“Do you not need to return to the Regal family?”
Palteon Yuterus, the new lord, asked Sirius.
Currently, the two were discussing the situation in the surrounding area and having a simple meal.
“Wouldn’t you prefer if I quickly left the Yuterus family?”
“Oh, no, it’s not like that.”
“You can be honest. I understand if you’re not pleased with me trampling over your family.”
“….”
After hesitating for a moment, Palteon cautiously spoke up.
“Sirius, I will honestly tell you.”
“I said to be honest. Speak up.”
“I consider it fortunate that you have subdued the old lineage.”
“….”
“Nielle, Olstead, Cardine… They controlled the family and persecuted our relatives.”
Palteon’s voice darkened.
“My father was the youngest son of the former lord. However, he lost his life during the succession dispute.”
“Was it Nielle who killed him?”
“It seems Nielle and Olstead joined hands in the assassination. There’s no concrete evidence.”
Palteon let out a sigh.
“Well, it’s a common occurrence.”
“Common?”
“It’s becoming more common these days. In the past, the lordship was always passed down to the eldest son, but now it’s not the case. The trend is to choose the heir regardless of being the first or second son, daughter, which intensifies disputes.”
Choosing the successor based on ability rather than birth order or gender.
From Noble mtl dot com
This could be considered more progressive than the days of primogeniture.
However, this led to intense battles over the successor position.
Come to think of it… What’s the situation with the Regal Family?
Rutbein has only three daughters, so one of the three sisters will become the next head of the family.
The problem is that none of the three have any talent in magic.
Sirius had no idea on what basis Rutbein would select the next head of the family.
“Sirius, when you… No, when the Nael family swept in and wiped out the former head, to be honest, I felt relieved.”
“I see.”
“Thanks to that, I was able to take the position of the head of the family. The Uterus Family did suffer a great blow… but we just need to recover from it.”
After saying that, Palteon added while watching Sirius’s reaction.
“By helping you diligently, Sirius.”
“It’s quite obvious, Palteon.”
Sirius said in a cold voice.
“If you help me diligently, I’ll secure your position… That’s the deal, right?”
“hahahaha, yes.”
Palteon chuckled stylishly.
“Palteon.”
“Yes, Sirius.”
“I plan to further grow the Regal Family.”
Sirius said in a calm voice.
“If the Uterus Family continues to support the Regal Family, naturally, the Uterus Family will also grow.”
“…”
“It’s better than harboring different intentions and wasting time.”
If you help properly, I’ll make sure you don’t suffer any losses.
That’s what Sirius was saying.
“Sirius, you… are aiming to restore the prestige of the Five Great Families on the continent, aren’t you?”
“It shouldn’t just end at that.”
“What?”
“If we’re going to do it, shouldn’t we aim for the top?”
From the start, Sirius’s goal was to create a true martial arts alliance on this land.
However, since saying martial arts alliance might not be understood, he decided to put it this way for now.
“Me, aiming for the top… Are you saying I should climb to the peak of the Five Great Families?”
“Are there only the Five Great Families in this world? There are many dark associations and other factions as well.”
“!”
Palteon was taken aback by Sirius’s statement.
“Sirius, that, no matter how you think about it, the feasibility of that…”
“The feasibility is for me to judge, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Um…”
Palteon groaned, scratching his head.
He was pondering how to take in Sirius’s bold statement.
“Ah, I understand. I’ll remember it for now.”
In the end, Palteon decided to just let it pass.
Poking Sirius unnecessarily would only result in Palteon’s disadvantage.
“But if that happens, what will become of the Regal family?”
“What?”
“Since Sirius has no blood ties to the Regal family, he cannot directly become the head. In that case, are you considering making Lady Yustia the head…?”
Silence fell from Sirius.
He hadn’t thought about that aspect yet.
It wasn’t particularly important to him.
Sirius’s goal was to use the Regal family as a stepping stone to create a new martial arts alliance, so he had no interest in the position of the head of the Regal family.
“Or, you could place the child of Lady Yustia in the position of the head.”
“…A child.”
He had never even considered that.
It was hard to even imagine.
He had no children in his past life either.
“Oh, actually, I asked earlier if it was okay for you not to return to the Regal family because of Lady Yustia. Since you’re newlyweds, is it okay to leave your wife alone like that…?”
“Palteon.”
Sirius snapped at Palteon, who was speaking out of turn.
“Eat your food.”
Palteon flinched, but then cautiously spoke up.
“Have you and your wife had a disagreement?”
“…Oh, as newlyweds, that shouldn’t happen. You should quickly return, make amends, and even have a second generation…”
Palteon screamed in pain, clutching his forehead.
Sirius had flicked a bean from the plate with his finger, hitting Palteon’s forehead.
“Why are you doing this!?”
“Stop meddling needlessly.”
Come to think of it, even the Twelve Honorable Guards’ Jajun often made unnecessary remarks.
He didn’t expect this resemblance.
“Are you two really not getting along?”
Palteon asked cautiously, rubbing the red mark on his forehead.
“Whether we get along or not, it’s none of your concern.”
“Still, Sirius, seeing how you retaliated against Cardein in anger, it seems like you genuinely care about your wife…”
“This brat keeps…”
“I-I’m sorry.”
As Sirius prepared to flick another bean, Palteon flinched.
That was precisely when the commotion outside intensified.
“My Lord…!”
“What’s happening?”
A man burst in from outside and approached Palthéon, casting a glance at Sirius.
“Someone has come to see you, Sirius… wants to meet you…”
“Is he from the Rigel family?”
“No.”
The man lowered his voice as he spoke.
“I come from the Kalstein Sword Division.”
“…!”
Palthéon looked at Sirius in astonishment.
“Sirius, how should we…?”
“Tell him to wait.”
“What?”
“Because our meal isn’t over yet.”
Despite Palthéon’s bewildered expression, Sirius paid no mind.
“It’s Palthéon’s fault for talking nonsense during mealtime.”
“No, is that my fault?”
Sirius leisurely continued his meal in front of the puzzled Palthéon.
After finishing the meal, Sirius headed to the room where he had fought with Naiel in the past.
Although there were still traces of blood here and there, he didn’t care.
Seated on the chair once used by Naiel, Sirius called for the lion of the Kalstein Sword Division.
“You make us wait long.”
A sharp-faced young man appeared with a frown.
He was lean but well-balanced in physique, showing he was a well-trained swordsman.
“Do you look down on us? No matter how much…”
“Introduce yourself.”
“What?”
“Start with an introduction.”
Seated askew on the chair, Sirius retorted sharply.
“We need to know who you are to have a conversation.”
“…”
The man shot a glance at Palthéon standing beside Sirius.
It was a look of reprimand for not revealing his identity.
Though Palthéon hastily nodded, the man, with a furrowed brow, spoke up again.
“6th Seat of the Kalstein Sword Division, Aléion.”
“6th Seat, huh.”
Sirius nodded slowly.
“Quite a low rank.”
“What did you say?”
“If you’re 6th, it’s a vague rank that can’t even compare to the Four Heavenly Kings or Five Tiger Generals.”
“……?”
Facing the perplexed Alerion, Sirius spoke calmly.
“Well, since you’re low in rank, you must be playing the role of a lion like this.”
“…Are you insulting me?”
Alerion frowned, but Sirius paid no attention.
“So, what brings the 6th seat lackey to see me?”
“You…!”
Alerion seemed ready to draw his sword at any moment.
However, Sirius remained unfazed, maintaining his arrogant posture without even blinking an eye.